Detour: Barfly

If you can't get along to the Yanjing brewery, no problem. Beijing's entertainment scene has grown exponentially in recent years, and there are plenty of places to enjoy an ale.

The draught beer often tastes a little flat at the capital's boho-and-backpack mecca, the Pass By, tel: (86-10) 8403 8004. But what it lacks in keg care, it more than makes up for in setting and service. Nestled in a lane off Ping'an Dadao near the central lakes, the intimate courtyard bar and café offers a smoke-free wing, a carpeted loft and a sunny patio. The owner's...